Cromwell businessman Gary Anderson is urging the Central Otago District Council to not delay upgrading its aging mall any further.

Of the 149 submissions on council’s Annual Plan, only six came from Cromwell residents. 

Gary spoke to the Cromwell Community Board yesterday, regarding his concerns about the mall being a health and safety hazard.

He outlined in his submission how the 37-year-old town centre was in serious need of maintenance, including tree roots growing through pavers causing serious hazards.

“It looks terrible and is an embarrassment in its current state. I would like to see the existing trees removed and replaced with deciduous trees . . ., he said.”

Gary told the meeting a number of people have fallen flat on their face and needed medical attention after tripping on the pavement.

The Cromwell Mall in earlier years. PHOTO: File

“Get rid of the trees, just do something,” he said.

He urged council to continue along with some form of modernisation of the public areas, and his message was loud and clear. 

“This project has been consulted on and advised on over numerous years - please do not delay it further.” 

Council’s property and facilities team noted in their report to the Cromwell Community Board yesterday, that while it does have a maintenance budget, it was not sufficient to cover extensive repairs and upgrades on a broader scale. 

To undertake the work detailed, the cost could be in the range of $100,000 – $200,000 and this was not included in the Annual Plan.

Board chair Anna Harrison acknowledged his concerns and said “we’re in a moment of frustration ourselves,” at this point, as the upgrade had been included in council’s Long Term Plan (LTP), rather than Annual Plan - which had been pushed out until next year.

Council was currently working on a preferred option for the proposed mall upgrade.

If approved, the project will be included in the LTP, which will address many of the issues, including the potential replacement of trees and modernisation of public areas.

“We will continue to raise the issues and advocate for this project,” she said.